Cambridge Science Practical Routes: IGCSE Paper 5 / 6 and AS & A Level Paper 3 / 5

Q: Which Cambridge science practical route applies to me?
A: First confirm the qualification, subject code, examination series, and component entry. IGCSE candidates take one practical component, Paper 5 or Paper 6. Cambridge International AS & A Level candidates use Paper 3 and Paper 5 differently depending on whether the entry is AS only, staged A Level, or all A Level components in one series.

TL;DR
IGCSE Paper 5 is a candidate-run Practical Test and Paper 6 is the written Alternative to Practical. For Biology 9700, Chemistry 9701, and Physics 9702, Paper 3 is the two-hour Advanced Practical Skills component used at AS Level, while Paper 5 is the one-hour-15-minute Planning, Analysis and Evaluation component used to complete the A Level route.

Last reviewed: 19 July 2026. This route map is bounded to the current 2026-2028 IGCSE Biology, Chemistry, and Physics specifications and the current 2025-2027 AS & A Level Biology, Chemistry, and Physics specifications. It does not establish a particular centre's component availability or validate every sentence in each linked subject guide.

1. Confirm the entry before choosing a guide

Ask the school or examination centre to confirm in writing:

1. the qualification and subject code;
2. the examination series and administrative zone;
3. the component numbers on the entry;
4. whether the route is IGCSE, AS only, staged A Level, or all A Level components in one series;
5. the final component codes on the Statement of Entry;
6. centre deadlines, reporting instructions, and practical arrangements.

Do not infer the practical route from private-candidate status, school type, or access to a laboratory elsewhere. The centre makes and administers the examination entry. Availability can also vary by syllabus and administrative zone.

2. IGCSE Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

For current Biology 0610, Chemistry 0620, and Physics 0625, all candidates take one practical paper from a choice of Paper 5 or Paper 6.

Within each subject, Cambridge says Paper 5 and Paper 6 require the same experimental skills, require understanding of the same experimental contexts, and assess AO3. The way candidates demonstrate those skills differs because Paper 5 uses laboratory work and Paper 6 uses written material.

The 9-to-1 versions are Biology 0970, Chemistry 0971, and Physics 0972. Cambridge describes each as otherwise the same as its A-star-to-G counterpart, while limiting availability to specified administrative zones and locations. Confirm the actual syllabus and component entry instead of selecting a guide from the grading scale alone.

IGCSE Paper 5 subject guides

• Biology 0610 / 0970 Paper 5 Practical Test
• Chemistry 0620 / 0971 Paper 5 Practical Test
• Physics 0625 / 0972 Paper 5 Practical Test

IGCSE Paper 6 subject guides

• Biology 0610 / 0970 Paper 6 Alternative to Practical
• Chemistry 0620 / 0971 Paper 6 Alternative to Practical
• Physics 0625 / 0972 Paper 6 Alternative to Practical

3. Cambridge International AS & A Level science

The current Biology 9700, Chemistry 9701, and Physics 9702 specifications publish the same component route structure.

Paper 3 uses practical work and structured questions. It is not simply an A Level-only laboratory paper: it is one of the three AS components and can also contribute to the full A Level. Paper 5 is not an alternative to Paper 3. It is an additional A Level completion component focused on planning, analysis, and evaluation.

The three published entry routes

Candidates following an AS route are eligible for AS grades. Candidates following an A Level route are eligible for A Level grades. The centre and current Cambridge Handbook govern entry, carry-forward, and administrative details.

AS & A Level Paper 3 guides

• Biology 9700 Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills
• Chemistry 9701 Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills
• Physics 9702 Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills

AS & A Level Paper 5 guides

• Biology 9700 Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
• Chemistry 9701 Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation
• Physics 9702 Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation

The six linked AS & A Level guides form a separate detailed body-audit tranche. This hub verifies the current component route, format, duration, marks, and weighting; it does not promote those linked bodies to complete fact-check status.

4. Do not transfer rules between subjects or components

Variables, measurements, tables, graphs, conclusions, planning, and evaluation appear across practical assessment, but the detailed conventions are not interchangeable. A graph rule, precision rule, qualitative-analysis table, apparatus instruction, safety step, or component weighting must come from the applicable subject specification and question.

Use this order:

1. confirm the entry;
2. open the current subject specification;
3. choose the matching component guide;
4. follow the live question and centre instructions;
5. treat past-paper patterns as practice evidence, not a guarantee of future structure.

5. What this route map does not establish

The cited specifications do not establish:

• which components a particular Singapore centre will offer;
• that private candidates automatically take an IGCSE written alternative;
• that AS & A Level Paper 5 replaces Paper 3;
• that every candidate takes all five AS & A Level components in one series;
• one universal practical rule set across Biology, Chemistry, and Physics;
• a fixed number of laboratory sessions, past papers, or mocks needed for a grade;
• grade improvement from tuition or any other preparation format.

References

1. Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus for 2026-2028.
2. Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus for 2026-2028.
3. Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus for 2026-2028.
4. Cambridge International, AS & A Level Biology 9700 syllabus for 2025-2027.
5. Cambridge International, AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 syllabus for 2025-2027.
6. Cambridge International, AS & A Level Physics 9702 syllabus for 2025-2027.